Disclaimer: All shotgun ammo is potentially deadly and must be treated with care by following all gun safety rules at all times.
It’s challenging to decide what the deadliest shotgun ammo is. To reiterate the preceding disclaimer, all shotgun ammo is potentially lethal and must be treated with care. That said, some shells have undeniably greater destructive potential than others. The 10 Gauge shotshell has greater destructive potential than any 12 gauge shotshell; however, the 12 gauge is the most prolific shotgun in the world, which is why it’s the focus of this article.
Let’s take a look at three 12 gauge shells that stand out.
Note that some shotshells are illegal in various states. At the time of this writing, however, the ones listed below are legal in all 50 states.
Top 3 Deadliest Shotgun Ammo Picks
The top picks are 2-¾” shells because they’re a guaranteed fit for all 12 Gauge firearms. A 2-¾” chamber is also compatible with mini shells. 3-½” shells will technically be more deadly, but not all shotguns are not capable of safely firing 3-½” magnum loads.
| Deadliest Buckshot Shotgun Ammo | Hornady Critical Defense 2-3/4" 00 Buck |
|---|---|
| Deadliest Slug Shotgun Ammo | Hornady 300 Grain Sabot Slug |
| Deadliest Minishell Shotgun Ammo | Federal Force X2 1-3/4" 6 Pellet 00 Buckshot |
The Deadliest Shotgun Ammo Picks in 2024
Hornady Critical Defense 2-¾" 00 Buck - Deadliest Buckshot Shotgun Ammo
Specs
- Projectile Type: Double-Aught Buckshot (00 Buck)
- Muzzle Velocity: 1,600 fps
- Shell Length: 2-¾”
Pros
- Trusted brand
- Designed for self-defense
- High velocity
Cons
- Expensive
Why I Chose It
Hornady Critical Defense 2-3/4" 00 Buck is my top pick for deadliest shotgun ammo because Hornady is a trusted brand in the defense community, designed for defense situations, and offers shooters a high muzzle velocity with multiple projectiles.
Hornady is known for producing high-quality and reliable ammunition. These shotgun shells are no exception. You can find comfort in knowing that when you pull the trigger, the 00 buck pellets will do precisely what they were designed to do: stop a threat as quickly as possible.
I’ve found that having more pellets increases your chances of hitting the target in a high-pressure situation, and the larger 00 buckshot projectiles penetrate deeper and cause more damage.
I really like that these shotgun shells also have a higher muzzle velocity than many other 00 buck offerings. The higher velocity will increase penetration, which is needed if the bad guy wears thick clothing. A higher velocity equals higher striking energy and more of a chance of reaching vital organs.
The biggest downside is the price per round. You won’t want to take these shells to the range for a long day of shooting unless you have money burning a hole in your wallet. I stick with training and defense situations when using these shells.
Hornady Critical Defense 2-3/4" 00 Buckshot is the ammo you need to defend your castle against bad guys, because it can quickly end threats quickly within 50 yards. Don’t hesitate to grab a couple of boxes today!
Hornady 300 Grain Sabot Slug - Deadliest Slug Shotgun Ammo
Specs
- Projectile Type: Sabot Slug
- Muzzle Velocity: 2,000 fps
- Shell Length: 2-¾”
Pros
- Trusted ammo brand
- High velocity
- High muzzle energy
Cons
- Must have a rifled shotgun barrel
- Expensive
Why I Chose It
Hornady 300 Grain Sabot Slug is the deadliest shotgun slug on the market because of its high velocity and energy. It quickly stops any deer or intruder in their tracks.
I have yet to encounter a problem while firing Hornady rounds, which is why they’re often my go-to choice when shooting ammo. I’ve Hornady ammo to be ultra-reliable, accurate, and fun to shoot.
The biggest downside of this shotgun ammunition is the need for a rifled barrel. All the shotguns I’ve ever bought have a smooth bore, and these rounds will be incredibly inaccurate when fired out of a smoothbore barrel.
I also noticed that this ammo is expensive. Shotgun slugs are generally costlier than other shotgun projectiles, and the Hornady SST Slug ups the price even more.
For shotgunners with a rifled barrel, a few boxes of Hornady 300 Grain Sabot Slugs are an excellent investment to defend your home or head to the deer woods. For those of us with a smoothbore, check out the Gualbo Steel Slug 2-¾”. It has an “expanding 504 grain slug with petals that peel back upon impact.”
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